1901-S VAM-4A
Error
Description
Discovered by Jerry Cleworth in October 2005, the 1901-S VAM-4A is cataloged as "High S, Die Breaks Lower Hair" and carries the classification 4A III21 - C4b. The obverse displays the most striking features: two horizontal die cracks run through the lower hair of the Liberty Head, extending rightward up behind the Phrygian cap. A small die break appears in the hair above the 1 and the first right star, and another small break in the hair above the second right star. These obverse die failures give the variety its name and provide definitive attribution markers. The reverse is classified C4b, with two tiny die chips on the right side of the third leaf cluster from the top of the right wreath — confirmation markers used alongside the obverse break pattern. The 1901-S Morgan Dollar was struck in 90% silver at the San Francisco Mint; the die breaks documented here suggest the obverse die was retained in service well into mid and later die states. No emission sequence data has been separately cataloged. VAM attribution follows the Van Allen-Mallis reference standard.
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